"What are you doing here? How do you know my address?" Elliott asked incredulously as he looked at the woman standing on his doorstep. For a moment, he just stared, unable to process the sight. Of all people, he hadn't expected her.
He cursed himself inwardly. Why hadn't he checked the security camera before opening the door? He always did. Every single time. But tonight he had assumed it was Skylar since he was the only one who ever visited his home unannounced.
In response, Vanessa Grant didn't answer right away. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, gave him a look that called him a fool. She knew his schedule so it was impossible that she wouldn't know his addresss.
Then her lips curled into a faint pout as she blinked up at him. The movement was practiced yet strangely sincere, like someone used to getting their way without ever needing to say much. Then, she extended her arm and said pitifully, "I'm hurt. Can you apply some medicine?"
Elliott's brows furrowed. His eyes dropped to where she pointed and he noticed the dark bruise had bloomed on her upper arm, with clear finger imprints. He nodded, not the least bit shocked. He'd guessed the man had held her too tightly in the office but even so, this was much harsher.
"Are you saying that all the doctors in Anran are unavailable? But even so, I am sure the mighty Vanessa Grant, who is able to find anything she wants, does not have a single assistant to apply medicine for her?"
Elliott watched as she nodded her head and then candidly said," I have fifty assistants. But, no one is as beautiful as you."
Elliott blinked. The words hung in the air for a moment before sinking in. He wasn't sure if he'd misheard or if she'd actually said that with a straight face.
Any other time, he would've bristled at being called beautiful. He hated that adjective. But when she said it, it didn't feel like mockery or flattery. It was almost... honest. Or at least she made it sound that way.
He rubbed the back of his neck, "And what exactly does my beauty have to do with applying medicine?" he asked dryly.
Vanessa lifted her chin a little and grinned up at him, "It'll hurt when applying the ointment. So I thought, if you do it, I can distract myself by looking at you instead of focusing on the pain."
Elliott stared at her, torn between disbelief and a reluctant urge to laugh at her antics.
"Fine. Come in before someone sees you and starts another headline."
Vanessa smiled faintly as if that was exactly the answer she had expected. She bent down to pick up a large shopping bag that she had placed on the floor beside her and without warning, she shoved it into his arms.
"This is for you," she said matter-of-factly.
Elliott caught the bag awkwardly, "What is this? A bribe? Or an apology gift for intruding?
"Neither. It's a peace offering."
He humphed under his breath and placed the bag aside, only to see her getting comfortable on his couch and then grabbing the popcorn he was eating before she came and stuffing them into her mouth... "Welcome. Make yourself at home." He muttered sarcastically before going to the bathroom to bring in the first aid kit.
"Thank you." She answered seriously and he rolled his eyes, ignoring her next comment, "You really live like a monk... I mean there is minimal and then there is... this..."
Elliott shook his head and pulled out the first aid box, walking back to the living room. He didn't like clutter or decorations. He had a couch to sit on and a television for entertainment. Nothing else needed.
Sitting on the couch next to her, he extended his hand, "Give me your arm."
She obeyed without a word. Her skin was warm under his touch and soft... He opened the ointment and started applying it carefully even as she flinched a few times...
He frowned, before asking casually, "Does your 'fiance' often hurt you like this?"
Vanessa didn't answer immediately. Her body went still, and for a moment she didn't even seem to breathe. And that silence told him more than words could. It was odd that even a woman as powerful as Vanessa Grant would take abuse.. Maybe it was not in your face punches and hitting but hurting was hurting. Already the man was using force and they were not even officially engaged. He looked at her carefully. This must be one of those misplaced sense of love and loyalty...
As he felt a surge of anger, he almost regretted asking, but before he could speak again, she smiled at him and asked flirtatiously, "Fiancé? Aren't you my fiancé? Do you hurt me? Have you already forgotten the contract you signed this morning?"
Elliott glanced up and his eyes narrowed slightly "Oh, right. I had forgotten that entirely considering the fact that you introduced Ethan Clark as your fiance just after that."
Her smile didn't falter. " I didn't. I simply introduced you two and said, my fiance. Ethan misunderstood."
He gave her a long, unimpressed look. "Would you care to explain why you need a contract marriage when you already have a fiance?"
Vanessa sighed and turned her head away, "It's a long story," she said quietly.
Elliott tied the bandage around her arm, his movements steady and precise. "Lucky for you," he said, leaning back slightly, "I have all the time in the world."
She gave a small laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "You say that now, but if I start talking, you'll regret offering your time."
He shrugged. "I've already let you into my house. I don't think it gets worse than that."